Hope as boy with skin disorder flown to Nairobi

Abshir Salad, a 10-year-old boy, was airlifted to Wilson Airport on 18/July/2016 courtesy of well-wishers who were moved by his plight. He is suffering from Ichthyosis. (PHOTO: EDWARD KIPLIMO/ STANDARD)

There was a glimmer of hope for a 10-year-old boy who has been crippled by a rare skin disease.

Abshir Salat Gedi from Wajir County was yesterday flown to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) courtesy of well-wishers who were moved by his plight. Abshir suffers from a rare disease that he cannot even pronounce.

The condition, known as ichthyosis, has rendered him a cripple. With his body stuffed in a wheelchair and the pain in his eyes evident, it takes courage to look at him twice. Just the sight of his scarred frail body dressed in blue shorts and red jacket is enough to send chills down one's spine.

His limbs have wasted away while his skin and hair are literally falling off. His life has been a cycle of skin peeling followed by healing. Keeping infections away from the resulting wounds is a daily battle.

For the last 10 years, the condition has denied Abshir the joys of childhood. And he is not alone in his suffering. There are nine other children admitted at the Wajir District Hospital with the same condition.

It took the intervention of well-wishers on social media to highlight his state that culminated in an impromptu rescue mission to KNH. In just two days, supporters had raised Sh349,700 for his treatment.

"Abshir was born with this condition and due to stigma and poverty, his parents never sought help," said a well-wisher named Mohamud Abbas.

"Some parents are calling us, asking how they can have their children helped without necessarily being ridiculed by the community. They have no idea what kind of disease it is," said Mr Abbas.

The condition is a combination of over 20 skin disorders that end up exhibiting all their symptoms on one's body. It makes the skin scaly, thick, dry and cracked, leaving open wounds that make the body prone to more infections. Unfortunately, it is said that such a disease can only be managed as it is actually a lifetime condition.

"For Abshir, we shall put him on skin moisturisers and oil soap supplements to get rid of the scaling. Soon, the skin will regenerate," said skin specialist Jamal Abade.